Five areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15 percent, while 20 areas registered rates of less than 5 percent.

The Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Potter, Randall, Armstrong and Carson counties, had a 5 percent unemployment rate in August, down from 5.7 percent in August 2011, according to bureau statistics.

The 5 percent rate translates to an estimated 6,900 people who are jobless in a labor force of approximately 137,000 workers.

The Amarillo MSA's rate in July was 5.5 percent, lower than the July 2011 rate of 6 percent.